Multiple needle stitching mechanism



Feb. 13, 1945.

V. J. SIGODA MULTIPLE NEEDLE STITCHING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1939 INVENTOR. V/cron d. SIGODA ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1945.

V. J. SIGODA MULTIPLE NEEDLE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 5, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1945. 8mm 2,369,183 7 MULTIPLE NEEDLE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 5, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. V/c TOAM 5/6004 7 ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1945. A 2,369,183

MULTIPLE NEEDLE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 5, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

BY M

Moro/2d. 5/000/1 Patented Feb. 13, 1945 MULTIPLE NEEDLE s'rn'cnmo MECHANISM Victor J. Sigoda, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Man- Sew Pinking Attachment Corp., New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application October 5, 1939, Serial 1%. 293,029

12 Claims. ((1112-98) This invention relates to embroidery stitch mechanism and has for its general object and purpose to provide a multiple needle machine 101' forming ornamental or embroidery stitching having a needle operating mechanism so constructed and arranged as to operate the relatively movable needles in properly timed relation and at high speed to accurately produce the ornamental embroidery stitching in a predetermined design.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a vertically reciprocating stitch forming needle together with a co-operating thread carrying needle movable in an obliquely angular path relative to the stitch forming needle, and mechanism operatively connected with the main shaft of the machine for actuating said needle: in properly timed relation to each other.

It is a further object of the invention, in one practical embodiment thereof to provide, in combination with a plurality of vertically reciprocating hook or latch needles,two sets of thread carrying needles. each obliquely disposed relative to the hook needles and in planes of operation at right angle to each other, each of said thread carrying needles co-operating with one of the hook needles.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a, multiple needle machine for the above purpose, in which, by the use of interchangeable throat-plates and variation in the number of hook needles and thread carrying needles employed, the operator may selectively produce any one of a large variety of ornamental or embriodery stitching designs.

It is also an additional object of the invention to provide a multiple needle machine as above characterized in which the conventional tourmotion material feed mechanism is employed and in conjunction with which I provide a needle operating mechanism which will function in an efficient and reliable manner with a minimum of vibration and noise in the relative movement of its several parts.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved embroidery stitch mechanism, and in the form, construction. and relative arrangement of its several elements,

as will hereinafter be more fully described, il-

lustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the sub-joined claims. v

In the drawings, wherein I have selected for illustration one simple and practical embodiment of the invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

.Fig. 1 i a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a. multiple needle stitch forming machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the needle guide head with the face plate removed and the machine base shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation on an enlarged scale showing the operating means for the obliquely inclined thread carrying needles.

- Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. i.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the needle throat-plate.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation on an enlarged scale showing the relative positions of one of th hook ing needle, and Fig. 7c is 'a detail view of the hook needle.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the reverse side of a section of fabric material illustrating the ornamental or embroidery stitch design produced thereon by the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a similar view illustrating a different relative arrangement of the embroidery stitches which may be produced by one selected adjust ment of the material iced mechanism.

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views, similar to Figs. 8 and 9, respectively, showing the finished designs on the right side of the fabric.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates the base or bed-plate of the machine. At one end of this bed-plate a hollow standard or pedes- V tal 6 is suitably fixed thereto and at it upper end has integrally formed therewith a horizon,

tally extending arm 3 terminating in a needle commonly used in the art, may he employed for imparting the required horizontal and vertical oscillating motions to the feed dog "I.

'In the present instance, I have illustrated a 56' standard type of iced dog operating mechanism actuated by the vertical rods'or bars II and I2, extending downwardly through the pedestal 8 and an opening i3 in the bed-plate 5. and connected at their upper erds with suitable operating eccentrics fixed to the main shaft l4, which is rotatably supported in suitably paced bearings l5 and I5. respectively, provided in the arm 1. To one end of this shaft externally of the pedestal 5 the usual drive wheel I! for connection with an electric motor or other convenient source of power, is suitably fixed.

A main presser-foot i8 is fixed t0 the lower end of the rod i9 which is vertically movable through the guide head 8. Within said guide head the collar 20 is fixed upon the rod l9 and between said collar and the upper end of the guide head an expansion spring 2i is interposed and normally urges said rod downwardly to yieldingly hold the presser-foot ill in operative relation to the material as it is fed over the throat-plate 9 in the oscillating motions of the feed dog' it).

Below the collar 20, a laterally extending arm 22 is fixed to the rod i9 and has its end portion disposed within a bifurcated upper end of a vertical stud 23 on the guide head 8, whereby rotative movementof the rod I9 is prevented.

A horizontally disposed rock shaft 24 is mounted on the arm 1, one end of said shaft having an arm 25 fixed thereto and extending beneath the arm 22 on the rod l9. To the other end of the rock shaft 24 a suitable hand operated member 25 is fixed whereby said shaft may be rocked to apply a lifting pressure by the arm 25 against the arm 22 and thereby raise or elevate the main presser-foot l8 to an inoperative position against the action of spring 2 I.

A needle bar or rod 21 is mounted in the guide head 8 for vertical reciprocatory movement and is provided at its lower end with suitable holding means for a plurality of parallel stitch forming needles. These needles may be either of the open hock type as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings or they may be of the pivoted latch type, an example of which is disclosed in Patent 1,714,928, granted to me on May 28, 1929. In the present instance I have shown two of these hook or latch needles generally indicated at 28 and 29 respectively. These needles are laterally spaced apart and the needle 28 is also positioned in forwardly spaced relation from the needle 29. Each of these needles preferably is formed with an offset point 30 which is in alignment with the peripheral surface of the needle shank. At a suitably spaced distance above the point 30 the needle shank is formed with the thread receiving recess 3| and the inturned hook 32. This book terminates in spaced relation to the side wall of the recess 3| to provide a thread entrance 33 to said recess and the outer side face of said hook is also substantially in longitudinal alignment with the peripheral surface of theneedle shank. These hook needles are of the same length and their points 30 are located in the same horizontal plane.

An auxiliary presser-foot 34 is fixed to the lower end of the rod or bar 35, also mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement in the guide head 8. This presser-foot is provided with oilset spaced apart fustro-conical, vertically depending lugs 36 and 31 respectively each of which has a central bore or guide passage for the needles '28 and 29 respectively. These lugs 36 and 31 are adapted, in the operativeposition of the auxiliary presser-foot to be received within similarly shaped openings in the main presser-foot l8 and directly engage the material and thread loops to securely hold the same upon the throat-plate 9 during the movements of the needles 28 and 28 through the material.

Below the bed-plate 5, a suitable bearing 38is secured on the rod 39 which is fixed at its opposite ends in the spaced lugs 40, depending from the bed-plate. In this bearing, a'rock shaft 4| is journalled intermediate of its end, the axis of said shaft being parallel with the line of feed of the material. To one end of this shaft an arm 42 is fixed and carries a thread loop forming hook 43 which is adapted to form a thread loop to be received by the hook of the stitch forming needle 29, in the manner t be hereinafter explained.

To the other end of the rock shaft 41 an arm 44 is fixed and with said arm the pitman rod 45 is pivotally connected at one of its ends 46. The

other end of this rod is operatively connected with an eccentric 41 integrally formed with a spiral gear 48 loosely mounted on the fixed vertical shaft 49. A horizontal shaft 50 is also journalled in suitable bearings beneath the bed-plate and carries the spiral gear 5! in constant mesh with gear 48. To one end of shaft 50 a bevelled gear 52 is fixed and is engaged with a similar gear 53 on the. lower end of the vertical shaft 54 mounted within the pedestal 6. The upper end of this shaft is provided with the bevelled gear 55 in mesh with a-similar gear 56 fixed on the main shaft I 4.

To one end of the shaft M a disk 51 is secured and has an eccentrically located stud 58 projecting laterally therefrom. This stud is movable in a cam slot 59 provided in an arm 50 whichis pivotally mounted at one of its ends in any suitable manner, as at 5, upon a fixed part of the guide head 8. The lower end of a link 62 is 40 pivotally connected, as at 53, to the arm 60 and has its upper end pivotally connected with a collar 62 on the needle bar 21, It will thus be apparent that vertical oscillating motion is transmitted through shaft I 4 to the arm 60, and through the link connection 62, it is translated into a vertical reciprocating motion of the needle bar 21.

Adjacent to the disk 51 a sleeve 63 is suitably secured upon the shaft l4 and at one end thereof is provided with a spiral gear 64. A cam 65 on the other end of said sleeve cooperates with the roller 66 mounted on one end of an arm 51 which is fixed at its other end to the rock shaft 68. To the other end of said shaft an arm 69 is secured and has upward bearing engagement against the collar 10 which is secured upon the auxiliary presser-foot rod 35. This collar is provided with an angularly offset forked arm ll engaged with the main presser-foot rod l9 which prevents rotative movement of the rod 35. Between the collar 10 and the upper end of the guide head 8 a coiled spring 12 surrounds the rod 35 and yieldingly urges the same downwardly to position the auxiliary presser-foot in cooperative relation with the main presser-foot l8.

The rear side wall of the needle guide head 8 is disposed at a vertically oblique angle of approximately 60 degrees, as indicated at I3, in

' downwardly convergent relation to the needle bar reciprocating motion of the needle bar H.

gearllflxedonthlsshatthasconstantmeshing engagement with the gear I. To one end of som the shaft 16 at the outer side of wall'nthe disk 18 is flxedand carries an eccentric stud 1! operating in the c'amslot II ofanarm 8|. This arm at one end has an integrally formed sleeve 82 'oscillatably supported upon the stud shaft 83 which is fixed at one or its ends to the wall 13.

extending arms and 85 respectively disposed .13 of the guldehead 8. 4

. This sleeve is provided at one end with radially approximately at 90 degrees spaced apart relation to each other. The link 86 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the arm 8 at its lower end. the upper end of said link being pivotally connected to the collar 81 on the needle b'ar ll. It will thus be wbparent that in the operation of the main shaft l4, oscillating motion is transmitted to the arm 8|, which, through the above described connections is translated into a To the lower end of this needle bar, a single eyepointed thread carrying needle I4 is connected and is adapted to cooperate with the hook needle 29.

- To the under side of arm I the guide member 88 is suitably secured and positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. This member is provided with longitudinally spaced guide bearings 88 for the needle bar 80. In the lower end of this needle bar there is also secured a single eye-pointed thread carrying needle 9! adapted to cooperate with the other of the hook needles 28.

Reciprocating motion is imparted to the needle bar 90 through the medium of the transverse rock shaft 9'! journalled in suitable hearings on the under side of the arm I. This shaft at one end is provided with the arm 93 which is operatively connected by the link rod 94 or other equivalent means with the other arm 85 on the sleeve 82.

The other end of the rock shaft 92 is also provided with an arm 95 which is connected by the link 96 with the collar 91 secured upon the needle bar 98.

It will be readily understood from the above,

and with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, that the two thread carrying needles operate in planes at right angles to each other and at relatively difierent oblique inclinations with respect to the perpendicular reciprocating hook neiedles 29 and 28 with which said thread carrying needles resnectively cooperate. Also, it will be seen that the downward strokes of the thread carrying needles are simultaneous and slightly in advance of the downward movement of the hook needles 2E? and fih'through the material so that the thread loops will be formed below the material to be received in the hooks of the hoolr needles in the manner illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings. In

order to insure the proper thread loop enga' e-' As shown in Fig. 6, the throat-plate is provided with a U-shaped slot Ill, the ends of said slot being in lateral alignment, and said plate at each end of the slot being provided with a suitably formed needle receiving opening ill and I2 respectively. Between the parallel legs of the slot 100, the metal tongue iii, in cooperation with the presser-foot II maintainsa requisite pressure upon the material.

In spaced relation to the intermediate portion ofthe slot 108 and centrally thereof, the plate 9 is provided with a needle receiving opening I84 which is connected by a narrow longitudinal slot N15 with the longitudinally spaced needle receiving opening [06. Of course, it will be understood that the presser-foot is provided with suitably formed openings to register with the respective needle receiving openings of the throat-plate.

In the operation of the above described multiple needle mechanism, ornamental or embroidery stitching is produced in the design shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 of the drawings. As heretofore observed, the thread carrying needles H and 9! are operated slightly in advance of the hook or latch needles 28 and 29. The obliquely inclined thread carrying needle 9! in its downward stroke, between intermittent movements of the material under the presser-ioot i8, moves through the opening I 02 in the throat-plate 9 and carries the thread loop below the material. The hook needle 28 moves downwardly through the opening fill in the throat-plate in closely intersecting relation to the path of movement of the needle 5!. In the upward movements of the needles the thread loop is engaged in the hook of the needle 28 whereby producing the double strand horizontal stitch III! on the under side of the material between the opening HM and I2 in the throat-plate.

The other thread carrying needle 14 moves downwardly through the opening 566 in the throat-plate and carries the thread loop below the material. The hook needle 28 moves downwardly through the opening [04 of the throatplate and its point; to enters through the thread loop closely adjacent to the periphery of the needle 56'. In-the ascending movements of said needles, the oscillating member 63 move between the needles to approximately the position indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This memher in the continued upward movement of the needles engages the thread loop to tension the same about th neefle Z9 and direct said loop through the entrance s3 and into the hook of the latter needle. In the upward movement of the said needle the thread loop is drawn upwardly through opening EM in the throat-plate to form a single strand longitudinal stitch R8, substantially at right angles to the stitch 81. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the feed mechanism is so adjusted with respect to the operation of the needle mechanism that the stitch ma extends 2E and 29, there will be a dwell. before said stud or pin en ages the end of the slot 59 to impart a downward thrust to the needle liar 2'2. The reciprocatory motion of the thread carrying needles it and Si is however so controlled that over the stitch Mil to form a cross.

In each feeding stroke, the material is fed longitudinally beneath the presser-foot 58 while the needles are above the throat-plate 8. In such movement, a double strand longitudinally eX-, tending stitch me is formed by the hook needle needle 9! and draw the'same upwardly through said end 'of the previously formed'loop I09 so.

that the latter loops are locked together in the form of chain stitch. Similarly, in the deed of the material the thread carried by needle '74 is formed into a longitudinal double strand stitch Ill and in the next downward stroke of the hook needles. the end of this thread loop is engaged and held by the lug 3! of the auxiliary presserfoot so that in the following stitch forming operacating in obliquely actuating the latter needles in timed relation with the thread loop receiving needles.

3. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a pair of vertically reciprocating thread loop receiving needles, spaced apart laterally and in the direction of feed of the material, two thread carrying needlesdisposed in angularly related vertical'planes of operation and each reciprocating in an obliquely inclined path in cooperative relation with one of the thread loop receiving needles, a main'presser-foot, an auxiliary presserfoot having spaced parts cooperating with the main Dresser-foot to engage and hold thread loops upon the material in the reciprocating movements of said loop receiving needles, means for actuating said auxiliary presser-foot in timed tion of needle 29, the thread will be drawn .up-

wardly through the end of said loop to form the intermediate chain stitches between the stitches I09 and III), as shown in the drawings. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the feed mechanism may be so adjusted that the stitches I08 will be positioned between the horizontal stitches I01, and closely adjacent to one of the latter in the T formation, as illustrated; Also it will be evident that by multiplying the number of hook needles and correspondingly multiplying the number of thread carrying needles H and ill, various ornamental designs may be produced. The individual threads may also be of contrasting colors.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it

will be seen that I have devised a multiple needle stitching mechanism which is relatively simple in its construction, capable of operation at high speeds and which will eillciently function to produce ornamental embroidery stitching upon fabrics in a variety of different designs, in accordance with the predetermined selection of the operator. In the drawing I have disclosed one practical embodiment of the invention, which in actual use has given excellent results. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that the essential features of my invention may also be exemplified in various other forms of mechanism, and I accordingly reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate variation in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the cooperating elements which may be fairly considered as within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a

plurality of vertically reciprocating thread loop receiving needles and actuating means therefor.

two thread carrying needles operating in verticalactuating the thread carrying needles in timed relation with said loop receiving needles.

2. In mult'ple needle stitching mechanism, a pair of vertically reciprocating thread loop rerelation with the latter needles, and means for actuating the thread carrying needles in timed relation with the loop receiving needles.

4. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a vertically reciprocating thread loop receiving needle, a thread carrying needle reciprocating in an obliquely inclined path in' cooperative relation with the loop receiving needle. a main presser-foot through which the latter needle reciprocates, an auxiliary presser-foot having a depending part through which the loop receiving needle reciprocates and adapted to cooperate with the. main presser-foot to engage and hold a thread loop-upon the material in the reciprocation of said needle, and means for actuating said thread carrying and loop receiving needles in timed re- -lation with each other.

5. In combination with a supporting arm having a needle guide head at one end and a main shaft mounted in said arm, a vertically reciprocating needle bar mounted in said guide head, a second needle bar mounted upon one side of the guide head exteriorly thereof for reciprocating movement in an obliquely inclined path, a third needle bar mounted on said supporting arm for reciprocating movement in an obliquely inclined path and in a vertical plane of operation angularly related to the plane of operation of said second named needle bar, and means for simultav neously actuating the obliquely reciprocating needle bars in timed relation with the first named vertically reciprocating needle bar, from said main shaft.

6. In combination with a supporting arm having a needle guide head. at one end and a main shaft mounted in said arm, a needle bar mounted in said guide head to reciprocate in a perpendicular path and actuating means therefor operatively connected to the main shaft, a second needle bar externally mounted upon one side of the guide head for reciprocating movement in an obliquely inclined path, a third needle bar mounted on said supporting arm for reciprocating movement in an obliquely inclined path and in a vertical plane of operation an-gularly ceiving needles and actuating means therefor,

related to the plane of operation of said second named needle bar, and interconnected actuating means for said second and third named needle bars operatively connected with said main shaft to actuate said needle bars in timed relation with said first named needle bar.

7. In combination, a vertically reciprocating hook needle, an eye-pointed thread carrying needle laterally spaced from the hook needle and mounted to reciprocate in a vertically oblique pathat right angles to the path of feed of the material, a throat-plate having a U-shaped slot therein and an opening at each end of said slot,

inclined paths, and means for said needles reciprocating through the respective openings in the throat-plate, and said thread carrying needle moving below the throat-plate in intersecting relation with said hook needle to deliver a 'thread loop to the hook thereof, and means for actuating said needles in timed relation to each other.

8. In combination, a pair of spaced apart hook needles mounted for unitary vertical reciprocation, two eye-pointed thread ca in needles operatively mounted in vertical planes at right angles to each other for reciprocating movement inobliquely inclined paths and in cooperating relation with the respective hook needles, a throat-plate having a U-shaped slot therein and a needle receiving opening at each end of said slot, one of said hook needle and one of said thread carrying needles reciprocating through the respective openings, said throat-plate in spaced relation from the intermediate portion of said slot having additional longitudinally spaced needle receiving openings and a thread receiving slot connecting said openings, the other of said hook needles and the other thread carrying needle reciprocating through the latter openings in the throat-plate, and means for actuating the two thread carrying needles in timed relation with the hook needles.

out of longitudinal alignment with said point, an

eye-pointed thread carrying needle mounted to reciprocate in a vertically oblique path and in intersecting relation to the path of reciprocation of the hook needle, the point of said hook needle descendin through the thread loop closely adjacent to the shank of the thread'carrying needle, and means operable between said needles to releasably engage the thread and direct the thread loop through the hook entrance of the first named needle.

10. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a vertically reciprocating thread p receivin needle having a point at one end and a thread loop receiving hook spaced from said point, an eye-pointed thread carrying needle mounted to reciprocate in a vertically oblique path in intersecting relation to the path or reciprocation of the hook needle,.the point of said hook needle descending through the thread loop closely ad jacent to the shank of the thread carrying needle, and means movable between said needles to ena e and tension the thread loop in the ascending movements of the needles and thereby direct said loop into the hook of the hook needle.

11. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a vertically reciprocating thread loop receiving needle having a point at one end and a thread loop receiving hook spaced from said point, an eye-pointed thread carrying needle mounted to reciprocatev in a vertically oblique path in intersecting relation to the path of reciprocation of the hook needle, the point of said hook needle descending through the thread loop closely adjacent to the shank of the thread carrying needle, and an oscillatory member operable in timed relation with said needles, movable between the needles in their ascending movements to engage and tension the thread loop and thereby direct said loop into the hook of the hook needle.

12. In multiple needle stitching mechanism, a, main needle operating shaft, a needle bar mounted to reciprocate in a perpendicular path, actuating means therefor operatively connected with one end of the main shaft, a second needle bar mounted to reciprocate in an obliquely inclined path, said needle bars being disposed in parallel operating planes, and actuating means for said second needle bar including an operating shaft, independent of the actuating means for the first named needle bar and having driving connection with said main shaft.

VICTOR J. SIGODA. 

